7/18/2021
Monks of Shi
¶ First empire had a novel way of recruiting bureaucrats. Any child that was orphaned or abandoned would be taken in by the state. The child would then be indentured to serve the government until the cost of raising him/her was repaid. Mostly this would mean that an infant that was raised in a government orphanage until the age of 16 would owe another 16 years of service.
- For men the choice of solder, scholar, bureaucrats or toiler (janitor etc) based on aptitude. For women bureaucrats or toiler.
- Aptitude tests administered early and often would dictate the kind of training the child would receive.
- You could buy yourself out or someone could buy you out.
- Since you were not a slave you had part of the day to yourself and could get other jobs.
¶ After the collapse of the empire what little of the central bureaucracy retreated to the mountain passes of the Shi mountains. As lawlessness spread, they kept and preserved written records and a good deal of money/technology. Safe from attacks because of the unique terrain of the Shi Maintains. With no way or returning to power since those that survived where not of the royal line, they instead chose seclusion.
¶ Over time they continued the practice of recruiting children that where abandoned or orphaned. They also practiced healing arts and used lost knowledge and technology to help people. As a result, the three new kingdoms that arose after the fall of the empire treated these monks well.
Straw Emperor – effigy sits on the throne as they cannot rule themselves and need to serve someone.
¶ Emperor represents their orders ideals. Honor, scholastics and service to all.
Are raised to adulthood and offered a chance to stay or go when they turn 16. Once the choice is made its for life.
New kingdoms that arose post empire allow monks free passage and lodging as they collect children.
The monks are excellent healers and scholars and offer services to anyone in need in return.
The mountains of Shi arise from the “Great Scar” a huge gorge running the length of the continent or Aladan. The bottom of the gorge has active lava flow and poison gas. Impossible to traverse by normal means.
The monks control a series of bridges that allow trade between the kingdoms.
The bridges can be destroyed remotely and as such prevent their capture.
The peaks of the tallest mountain has many caves and thanks to geothermal bents is warm and allows for the farming of food.
The monks prevent the northern two kingdoms of mostly men from attacking the single southern kingdom run by goblins, men and dwarves.
No child over the age of 10 can be recruited by the monks.
Once someone chooses to leave the monks they may never return.
Life is simple and hard so most choose to leave.
¶ Those that do leave are allowed to pick where and are often successful since they know how to read and write and count as well as are physically healthy.
Monks are taught to read and write.
Arithmetic.
Farming
History
Medicine
Science
Hand to hand combat as well as how to use a staff.
Advanced combat using edge weapons.
Short story that should give a taste of the background above. A boy of 9 is dared by the others to steam a staff from one of the wondering monks back from his last trip of collecting orphans and doing charity work in the goblin kingdom.